With the arc of the cult finally coming to a rather fulfilling close, it is the relaxing tour of Sa province that the group deserved. With their lives and jobs on the line for the past few weeks, the stress levels of the party is definitely high and it is perhaps a good time to appreciate the finer things about Sa province. There will definitely be humor but many underlying foundations are also established in this episode.
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hi, I’ve been reading this blog for some time, and thanks for the great content!
I was wondering if it is just me or the actual animation art in this series is failing a little. I know that stylistically it is sort of poignant, but recently I’ve noticed that there are more and more still sceneries (the ones that just scroll) and for a large portion in each episode there is actually very little animating being done, where only the lips of characters speaking move and everyone and everything else is still, or appears to have watery eyes. This is kinda most evident in this episode.
I really hope that both the story as well as the pace of animation picks up after this Sa province chronicle, and yes more of the charm and wit of the first instalment. I have to say after 16 rather painfully-slowly-developing episodes i’ve began to anticipate the ending theme before much plot development, something that i didn’t succeed in this episode (So the pace is picking up right?!), and i was really pleasantly surprised that both Kaiyou managed to get-to Sa Province and Shurei managed to get-from Sa Province to the capital; all in the same episode. Yippy.
Well, what can i say I’m hooked to this already ain’t i. Keep up the good work, and thanks for reading.
i really like this site a lot.
if it’s okay, can you translate the preview?
and you’re right when you said that the story is finally gearing towards the romantic side. i am definitely in love with Ryuuki and Shuurei pairing.
Ahhhhh I can’t wait to see this episode now!
btw Impz have you caught Lovely Complex 17? There is hope for Otani yet and lets just say after episode 18 poor hubby was deaf I squeed so loud.
im for the seiran and shuurei pairing!!lol
@JC: I am definitely not a keen person when it comes to graphics, but I also found that Saiunkoku Monogatari tends to have quite a bit of graphical degradation when it comes to panning figures from a distance. Nevertheless, it is still tolerable since the story in itself is really a very fine plot that always has a good twist to it, despite the trend being somewhat predictable.
The pace always picks up subtly so you do not feel a sudden jerk, but is good enough to make you enjoy the little ride it provides. I am happy that you are enjoying the review of the series, and hope to see you around often as well ^^
@Kaz: Arr, I probably will just make a very short 1-2 sentence summary of the preview then next time. I am currently in my office now (i finished all my work for the day)
@D.J: already watched ep 18 and waiting for Episode 19. I cannot wait for the ….i won’t spoil you
hi!! this is the site i go to on updates on the episode, since there are no translated episodes out yet… thanks for the wonderful summary!!!
im just wondering is the scene where shuurei was crying looking at the doll and the piece of cloth in the novels too?? is it the same in the anime or somehow different??
Whoohoo!! thanks for the summary Impz. Somehow, the scene with shuurei and the straw doll is a lot like the episode in season 1 (”There’s no cure for the love-siok,” if i’m not mistaken) where she got sick and ryuuki came, and in the end of that episode, i think she did the same thing (look at the straw doll and cried) and said she wished that Ryuuki would find a girl who would love him. here she does it again, only you said, this time she said something about Ryuuki’s kindness. If Kourin didn’t appear and didn’t do her little speech thing, i would think Shuurei is in the same emotional state as she was in season 1 – which is, i think, she still doesn’t love ryuuki the way he wants her to. In season 1, the scene was shown parallel to the scene with her parents – the mom had the same dilemma. But then i think there’s hope – that she might learn to love Ryuuki (If she would stop being paranoid and hell-bent on her quest to be a good official or something) and Kourin reaffirmed that thought. So personally, i think (without the kourin scene) Shuurei “doesn’t love him YET” not “loves him already but is only in denial” – though that’s a very faulty way of looking at it since the line between the two ideas is very thin. Also, when a girl says “he is too kind”… well, personally, i think it shows her withdrawal or refusal to love the guy (like how Shouka was saying it was hard when the girl says “let’s just be good friends for life” i guess a girl saying “he’s too kind” has the same effect.)Seriously, Saiunkoku is making me enter a love therapy kind of logic or something. But anyway, Kourin’s speech gave all of us Ryuuki x Shuurei fans hope.
Ryuuren is so adorable. Okay, now you can go ahead and feel those weird yaoi vibes. hahaha although i think he’s just poking fun at Kourin. It’s funny how Ryuuren and Shuuei are alike. It’s just that of course, ryuuren being the weird little brother takes everything to the extreme. I can imagine Shuuei doing soemthing like that just to poke fun at Kouyuu, or even Seiran/Ryuuki. I wish they’d be featured in an episode together, showing some good old fashioned brotherly love. *snicker* I would guess as far as brotherhood is concerned, Shuuei and Ryuuren would be the closest since one was born after the other.
the ending scene in Sa Province was somehow reminiscent of Mulan… And yeah, the Shunki scene seemed really funny. Anyway, my comment is way too long now. Thanks again for the summary. it really made my day.
@ Impz, Gaaaaaaaaah, don’t tease like that! I have to admit to cheating a little since I’ve been reading the manga and so I’m a little ahead of the anime. But that didn’t detract from my enjoyment of LC at all. In fact I was bursting with anticipation for the little scene at the end of 18.
But yeah I can’t wait for 19 because then things will be ‘official’ hehehe
@Uruz 8, you know its funny you brought up Shuuei when you mentioned Ryuuren. Because before we learned that he was a bit of a womanizer, it seemed to me the way he teased Kouyuu sort of gave me a yaoish vibe. Particularly when they kept saying how much Kouyuu disliked women LOL! Ahh I’ve been subjected to too much of my friends yaoi collection methinks.
In my heart I’d like to think that Shuurei is starting to like Ryuuki the way he likes her. But a lot of what you said does makes sense.
Hopefully their relationship will parallel that of Shuurei’s parents, and if Ryuuki continues to be persistent, he’ll win her heart in the end.
C’mon Shuurei, open your eyes to the wonderful man totally in love with you!!!!!
DJ! Don’t forget that scene when Kourin was unconscious and the old Sa person (…forgot his name…) died and Shuuei was giving Kouyuu a nice, comforting, *platonic* hug. hahahahaha. okay okay. I just HAD to say it. I swear, the creators are so giving us fan service. FAN SERVICE I TELL YOU!! (well…for girls anyway) Ran brothers are COOL hahahahahaa.
Yeah, I super duper agree with you. I hope their relationship really would end up like Shuurei’s parents (minus the part where the woman dies of course.) And well… if you base it on the entrance song, remember, there’s a girl with a rose in her head (i think the “new” bara-hime…who i think is “kaa-san” who i think is the reason why the cult wants to do that weird exorcist thing to Shuurei…) and she fades to shuurei and then ryuuki appears and he smiles? See see see… it’s like Barahime (Shuurei’s mom) –> Shuurei…. … nevermind. damn it, i always cease to be coherent. gaah. but anyway, Kourin implied shuurei liked ryuuki so maybe if we keep our fingers crossed it will happen!!
I wonder though, how much Shuurei looking and crying over the straw doll is truly love, as we define it? I don’t think Shuurei has realized she is in love with Ryuuki. You’ve got to admit, she’s really slow at this sort of things. I get the vibe that she is touched over the fact that Ryuuki is still waiting for her… and she still cannot or don’t know how to return his feelings.
Actually, when I think about it, it probably is love. It’s just that I doubt Shuurei recognizes it as such. At least not yet.
I would love to see Ryuuki soon. He is sooooo unbearably CUTE.
@Impz:Arigato, for the great summary!!!
@Briar: I kinda agree with you. I don’t think we can conclude that she is mad in love with Ryuuki. I think she is touched because he’s really nice to her and yet she cannot return his feelings. Anyway I am such a Shuurei_x Seiran supporter that I will only give up on them the day Shuurei will really tell Ryuuki “ai suru”lol…
@Ymseiran: let’s keep our fingers crossed for ShuureixSeiran
@Shion_08: I wish i could help you but I do not read the novels at all T_T
@Uruz: Do not mind about the long reply/comment. The very fact that you made a long comment makes me happy simply because it knocks around ideas that I have never bothered or noted previously.
In a way, I do agree with you that she is still not in the same tangent as Ryuuki, in which they are having a romance in the idealistic way that Ryuuki wishes. Nevertheless, I believe that this is a very forwarding movement by Shuurei, considering her fear of romance and love after her personal experience.
For her to drop tears and calling Ryuuki too gentle might be an refusal, but also that she understands it well that she needs a bit more time to fully absorb it in. It is clear that she knows she is somewhat in love deeply with Ryuuki already, but Kourin’s speech is definitely true. Shuurei needs to get rid of her fear barrier.
Of course he is. He is way too smart to be oblivious over the romantic feelings that Kourin and Eigetsu share. I mean, he’s bloody eccentric, and i guess the funny faces that Kourin exhibits is a good enough thing for him to fool all the time. I mean, why not, right?
@D.J: ARGHHHHH! Well, the thing is that 19 will take quite a while to come on since there are some new episodes (read: fillers) before the next arc comes. I am not going to complain. I actually think that the yaoi vibes are growing quite a bit, but not that bad (I almost got tortured to watch a yaoi show with wifey, the pain!).
@Briar: Hmmm, I think that you are exactly spot on. Inside her heart, she already fell in love but I think for someone who has never experienced romantic love, they would not know at all. She is perhaps very touched in the way Ryuuki never fails his promise, and that’s also why she tried so much to make a Sa local food. Remember, she promised to make a SA local dish of vegetables for Ryuuki when she comes back.
@Sibelle: No problem, but it seems that the chances of a Seiran x Shuurei pairing is getting less and less.
who knew guys would like these kinds of shows! Hmmmm Crusader? Impressive for a guy. No seriously, amazimgly yet frighteningly impressive. Very unexpected. That’s cool.
oooooppssseeeee!!! I meant IMPZ! I was checking out Crudader’s blog earlier sorry, let me fix that…”‘Hmmmm Impz?’”
Don’t get comfused here anyone could like the show… I meant the whole..well I’ve now confused you and myself…sorry…I don’t know what I’m talking about anymore than you do. So I’ll just shut myself up. Wow. I’m stupid.
@Maya: Actually, you are not the first person who is surprised over the fact that a “guy can enjoy Saiunkoku Monogatari without going bishie, yaoi and all that jazz”. It’s one of the reasons why some of the readers of this blog tend to think that I am a female without any background knowledge. You are definitely not stupid, and I am really glad you commented so that I can clarify it again.
Still, I believe that the plot of Saiunkoku Monogatari is rather universal and does not really pander to any gender per se. Hence, even though the artistic style is somewhat feminine in nature, it should not deter too many males from watching it for sure!
Uruz 8, I forgot about that! Hmm I knew it, he was giving off Yaoi vibes. Its just because Shuuei is so damn suave! LOL ^-^
I have to agree the Ran brothers are worth every second of screen time, they never fail to get a giggle out of me.
Ahh yes of course I meant their relationship seems similar to that of her parents but without the death part, because that would really suck!
Oh I wish I could have seen your face when watching that show Impz LOL.
BTW everyone, cry with me if you will ———> http://www.saiunkokudvd.com/
They are calling her Shuurei HONG!!!!!!!! Even if the voice acting is good, I may have to watch it with the Japanese Language track on just because I hate the name they’ve give Shuurei. Ugh I know I sound like an elitist right now and I hate that, but really I like her name the way it is! Kou Shuurei!!!!
On the plus side they have a few nice wallpapers to download on the site. Although I think the Saiunkoku one I have on my home comp right now is better than theirs. So pffffffffft to Geneon, HAH!
But seriously, why couldn’t they have kept the name Kou?
finally some show of feelings…i hope shuurei will finally show some feelings for ryuuki… can’t wait for more romantic interaction between the two ^_^
Okay I’ve calmed down now. And I’ve thought it through more calmly.
I still want it and I will still give it a go. After all a name change doesn’t stop this from being a good series and I guess I really do understand why they would do it.
In fact I half expected a name change of sorts considering you have the crimson clan and the yellow clan both being Kou. But in my mind considering Shuurei gets more screen time than Kijin it would have made more sense to me to change his name.
But ah well. And I read somewhere and maybe you can confirm this Impz, that Hong would be the chinese way to say Shuurei’s last name. And considering this Saiunkoku is sort of modeled on China I guess the reason the name was chosen makes sense.
Ahh its not that I hate the name, its just going to be hard to associate it with Shuurei since I’m so used to her being referred to as Kou. But I’m sure once I become immersed in it, I’ll forget all about it. ^-^
Now I’m over it, I’m just excited the dvd will be out soon ^-^
@Hani: Who doesn’t? We need more love love of Shuurei and Ryuuki, preferably Ryuuki making Shuurei blush like an octopus or something
@D.J: Yes, it is spelled as “Hong” in the chinese way and to be honest, I think Kou is perhaps the Japanese usage of the word. Hong is perhaps more accurate since the names of all the characters are in Kanji or chinese characters. If so, I believe that Kijin’s surname might be “Huang”, and Ryuuki might be called “Zi” but I am not sure since I do not have the DVDs with me. Hah, calm down, poor D.J. Do not try to kill the DVD makers for it
@Impz. Ahh so I guess it does make sense then. Although it seems they have kept the Japanese for everyone else. Although Seiran is listed as Si not Shi, but that is the only other change I think.
Ahh I won’t kill them. I’ll be too distracted by all the bishes on the screen hehe.
And yes I wanna see Ryuuki make Shuurei blush. I like it when he’s the one blushing though whilst he’s daydreaming of Shuurei. SO CUUUUUUTE!
Impz, I totally live for your Saiunkoku blogs! I’ve watched all 39 episodes in the first season twice (p.s. I have no life) and so far I’ve watched episodes 1 thru 15 in season II and read all your blogs up through 17. I can’t wait to see episodes 16 thru 18. And from what you’ve hinted at for episode 19 I’m sitting at the edge of my seat freaking out. Man, this anime is good! Anyhoo, from this blog, I’m glad to hear that Shuurei is thinking in the positive on Ryuuki. I like the fact that she wanted to do her best to support Ryuuki. She kept true to her word from the beginning when she said she came to the palace to save the Emperor. He always wanted her to be by his side but she said she wanted to be underneath him, supporting him. So I guess that’s why she is disappointed. She’s no longer in a position to continue to support him as Emperor or help the people that she loves. I hope she doesn’t like push him away because she is too embarrassed that she can’t help him. But then again, Ryuuki would be able to see through that and tell her that he loves her. (huggles Ryuuki!!) I will definitely miss Rou Ensei. I loved it when he and Seiran (who is my fav character) got together. Their bantering was like Shuuei and Kouyouu or Reishin and Chamerlin Kou (forgot his first name). I hope before the series is over he comes back to visit. But I’m sure they will be getting ready for the Rose Princes (bara-hime) arc. Now, that’s going to be just too good! Can’t wait for it. Anyhoo, Arigatou for keeping us informed. ^_^
aaaaaaahhhhh this show’s got me now..can’t stop watching it now. I BLAME U IMPZ FOR GETTING ME INTO THIS BECAUSE UR ALL TO GOOD SUMMARIES!!!! but then again, thank u!! I’m ur fan no doubt. Damn right! Ah well, let’s c what happens next here…! (and I’m not flirting with u i’m just praising u>>) heehee! Thanks again! (dun worry im not gay! IM not a guy ya know)
@D.J: Si? Darn, I cannot remember the surname of Seiran in Chinese now, since I am at work and some idiotic woman just gave me some huge shocks of anger. lalalala~ Anyway, I am sure you will swoon so much that you will forget everything anyway ^^
Arr, I wonder if Ryuuki has any chance to make her blush though. That will be fun, very FUN.
@Gypsy: O_O live for my blog? Hooray? Heh heh.
Anyway, I think that she wanted to be the support for Ryuuki since she cannot reply in his love for him just yet. In a way, she is sad just as the exact reason that you have mentioned. You cannot put it more accurate in which she is no longer able to help him and wondered if she has been useful at all for him.
I guess that it is a very problematic situation with the bara-hime arc, but it seems like it will take at least a while since it is now about how Shuurei will settle back into commoner’s life. I bet that the time she will spend on it will be very short, since Ryuuki will be way too impatient to bring himself to her, ho ho ho.
They need more love love!
Impz, eep kick her ass! I hope she didn’t cause too much stress.
I feel your pain, people are driving me crazy at work too right now. Normally I would let it roll off of my back but its a pretty serious situation!
Yes there must be more of Ryuuki making Shuurei blush, its just so cute!
thanx heaps. i thoroughly enjoyed this episode, there was a change of pace as well.. and as usual packed with humor. wherever there’s Ryuuren you can guarantee a dose of laughter! lol specially the way he teased poor Kourin san..
also the ghost in the cave part n Kokujun’s sudden reactions to Shunki’s words were so funny.
it was a touching scene where Shuurei thinks of Ryuuki looking at the gifts he’s sent, embroidered cloth and the straw doll. i’m sure there’ll be a good development in their love in coming episodes. can’t waitta see episode 18!
about the people of Sa province gathering to bid farewell for Shuurei.. it was something i didn’t expect, but it clearly shows how deeply they respect her for everything she’s done for them. prolly the best farewell gift anyone could have.
Ok guys, I stopped watching this series about the time when she meets the red head guy that was flirting with her and she goes to his mantion and Eigetsu has the girl draw the map and for the kid to go or whatever. But then i lost my interest. So since u guys happen to love this series let me ask you, should i continue watching this series? I mean, as far as i’ve watched it just continues to drag on with the Sa Province…so does this get any better? Should i continue watching this more? Does this get BETTER??? So um…yeah, i just don’t don’t know if i should continye watching…so what do guys suggest???!!!
It depends on what you liked in the series, Neiji, and what you call “better”. At the point you stopped, the part with the “red-haired guy” is nearly over_ but Shureii is still a governor of Sa Province… She will actually go back to the capital but what happens in Sa province remains more important (at least until episode 15 of season 2 ^_^)
As for what happened in episode 15 … geez i’m so happy!^^ I’m a big fan of the Shureii x Ryuuki couple, but i didn’t think she felt more than deep affection for him (for the moment). It is an anime, so why would they take the trouble to make Kourin say she’s in love if the situation has not changed?? Anyway, i see the last episodes of season 1 in a totally different light now! Can’t wait for episode 16…
hum … episode 18 i mean :b
Oh Thanks a lot for the Summaries !!! It was my lifesaver anyway .__.”"” I’m just in love with this anime and thats why it was so important for me to know what them all was talking about in the second season >
Finnaly Shuurei shows more feelings…I’m sure she is really in love with Ryuuki, but there was something what did makes her unsure…But i think the next meeting of them will be very emotional and feelingly ._____. I just can’t wait for the next episode…and the next summary^^
Here comes…hmm it’s not really a spoiler but a question/request for a spoiler i guess xD
@D.J: “But yeah I can’t wait for 19 because then things will be ‘official’ hehehe”, what do you mean by this O__O ? Will they marry .__.? I just can’t wait…it drives me crazy ;__;!
@Blackwindamaya: I don’t think they will marry. It is going to be way too O_O mind boggling if anything like that happens.
I got a feeling too that it might be a tad interesting on how the dynamics between the two will evolve. Heh heh.
@Blackwindamaya:Theye were talking about another anime, it was episode 19 of “Lovely complex”. I know it can be confusing for people who didn’t read the previous posts ^^
Oh now i understand, sorry ^^’, but there are just too many comments…and it was very late that i couldn’t read all of them, i just wanted to know what this words means xD, however i hope the next episode will come soon ^__^
the part where the people of Sa province saw shuurei off had a big impact to me too…i even started crying at that part. she’s been through a lot with and for all those people and seeing them doing that seemingly simple or “undramatic” gesture in appreciation for her really did it for me
i wonder why ryuuren stayed behind in Sa province. he isn’t tired of hanging around “soul friend #2″ yet? i just find it a little weird.
about ryuuki making shuurei blush, i think i recall this one episode in the first season where in ryuuki asked shuurei to set aside some time for him after her assignment is given…she blushed there
Does anyone know if the novel has been translated into english? If so, where can I find it?
Oh hey I don’t think I ever took the time to say before. But ThirteenSugars, thanks for the great summary!
Without you I would be so far behind on this series! ((HUG)) You are awesome! ^-^
was wondering what’s going on with sauinkoku monogatari now. does anybody know if episode 18 of season two has been aired in japan already?
episode 18 comes out today! I can’t wait for the summary.
Hahahahaha!!!! i know where you can watch this episode but do BEG ME TO TELL YOU NYAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!